Bravo sets sights on Test return

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD - T&T allrounder Dwayne Bravo says his goal is to return to the West Indies Test team. Bravo last played Test cricket for the West Indies against Sri Lanka in December 2010.

He currently averages 31.42 with the bat and 39.83 with the ball in 40 Test matches. Speaking to the T&T Guardian on his ambitions for the new year the right hander said: “I have a main goal, and that is playing Test cricket again for the West Indies. I have a number of steps to make before I realise that goal and one of them is the upcoming regional T20 tournament.

“I want to really put out a great performance and get that momentum that will take me right back into the Test team. I have worked very hard since my injury and I am keen to go out there and perform for my country. I am hoping that the extra work that I have been putting in pays dividends and that I can achieve my goal in the coming year.”

Bravo, who is fit again, will take his place in the team for the tournament that bowls off on Sunday with T&T facing Jamaica in their opening match at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Today, he will get a chance to test his form when T&T plays the Windwards in a warm-up clash at UTT in O’Meara from 7 pm.

Speaking to the T&T Guardian yesterday Bravo said: “I think that we have to watch the Windwards and Guyana because we have not gotten the kind of results we want over them in the recent past. I think they are the biggest threats to us. Of course, you cannot write off Jamaica and Barbados because they are big cricketing nations and can also be winners.

“We in the T&T team will not be taking anyone for granted, we have worked hard and prepared well, so now it is about being disciplined and going out there and executing.”

The Santa Cruz resident said he would have liked more time in the middle leading up to the series but thinks he will do well. “We did not have enough time out in the middle because of the rain leading up to this series but I still think that I am ready for action and ready to do well.

“I am injury free and very close to where I would like to be in terms of match condition. I am looking forward to the warm-up game against the Windwards and hopefully I will get in some work in that game.”

He added: “I am confident that we can go out there and repeat as champions and I am making a call for the entire Trinidad and Tobago to come down to the Oval and support the team. We need their support and we intend to play well for them.”